He was immediately placed under arrest. Hanuman, however, told the police that he was unaware of the fact he was carrying the round.

Hanuman’s story left the police baffled as he said the bullet might have been lying in his pocket since 2002, when he got married. “During his wedding, Hanuman said, his friends had fired shots in the air from a rifle, as is a ritual in the state. The recovered bullet may be one of the rounds that he had kept in the pocket of his coat that day. He claimed that he was wearing the coat on the Republic Day for the first time after his wedding,” said an officer.

According to the police, Hanuman has a Master’s degree and works in a private company.

He is also simultaneously pursuing his B.Ed.

A case under the Arms Act was registered against Hanuman at the Parliament Street police station “after thorough scrutiny”. He was released on bail after the police verified his residential and professional details.

Vijay Singh Chandel, the station house officer of the Parliament Street police station, confirmed the incident, but refused to divulge further details.